The pace quickens

Toreros roster

Averaged 9.3 ppg. Led team in assists and steals; second in rebounds. “An Energizer Bunny,” coach Bill Grier said. “Guys feed off him.”

1 Johnny Dee

6-0 182 G Jr.

Pure shooter led team in scoring (15.0) for second straight season. Shot 89 percent on free throws. Like Anderson, an undersized defender.

2 Mike Davis

6-2 200 G Sr.

Anderson’s backup is out until late December with a broken hand. His experience, toughness are vital.

3 Therone Tillett

5-11 180 G So.

Walk-on’s most valuable minutes will come in practice, pushing the starters.

4 Nick Kerr

6-3 175 G So.

Son of former NBA sharp-shooter Steve Kerr. Like dad, he’s a mad bomber. Another undersized defender.

5 Chris Sarbaugh

6-3 201 G So.

Grier: “Swiss Army knife. Does a little bit of everything.” He’ll spell Anderson until Davis returns.

10 Duda Sanadze

6-5 220 G So.

Toreros’ most fascinating newcomer. The wing from Republic of Georgia can score. Exudes toughness.

13 Forrest Greenwalt

5-9 160 G Fr.

Like Tillett, walk-on will be asked to provide opposing team impersonations in practice.

15 Thomas Jacobs

6-6 215 F Jr.

Scripps Ranch product will receive more minutes with John Sinis leaving for Greek pro league. Effort is no issue.

21 Michael Marconi

6-0 180 G Sr.

No relation to Guglielmo Marconi, often credited as the inventor of radio. Walk-on will log his minutes in practice.

22 Brandon Perry

6-7 265 F Fr.

Redshirt freshman is sitting out after transferring from CSU Northridge. “He’s a beast,” Grier said. Will start next season.

25 Simi Fajemisin

6-10 267 F/C Jr.

Space eater and gentle giant. Grier would like to see him play with more emotion, avoid fouls.

32 Brett Bailey

6-6 205 F Fr.

Much will be expected of prize recruit out of Spokane, Wash. Will be asked to swing between small and big forward.

33 Jito Kok

6-9 232 F So.

Fantastic defensive player who led WCC in blocks as freshman (55), tying school record. Needs work on offense.

40 Dennis Kramer

6-11 241 F Sr.

La Costa Canyon product played hurt much of last year (4.2 ppg/2.7 rpg). Needs to be more physical.

Toreros schedule

In his first season at USD, 2007-08, coach Bill Grier led the Toreros on their magical NCAA Tournament run, with an upset of UConn in the first round. The Toreros haven’t had a winning season since.

This season, the schedule is softer, the starting guards return, there’s a newcomer from the Republic of Georgia who can score, and there’s an anticipation that better days are ahead.

But like rebounds, questions hang in the air. Here are five things to watch heading into the 2013-14 season, which opens Friday at home against South Dakota State.

At times, the Toreros were dreadfully dull on offense last season. With USD in its half-court offense, the shot clock would wind down … 9-8-7 … the ball would be passed around … 6-5-4 … someone would end up with the ball … 3-2-1 … and a last-second shot would be launched, usually off the mark.